Lincoln Valley, also known as the Blackfoot River Valley, is a river valley in Lewis and Clark County, Montana. The valley offers scenic views of mountains, the Blackfoot River, several forests and other recreation areas.
History
Geography Surroundings North of the Lincoln Valley is the Scapegoat and Bob Marshall Wilderness areas. Both areas are protected to preserve the beauty of the areas, and as a result do not allow motorized vehicles in the premises. To the east of the valley are Roger's, Stemple, and Flesher passes- part of the continental divide. On the south edge of the valley is the Blackfoot River and several small creeks such as Spring Creek and Keep Cool Creek. Additionally, but not in the valley, is the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Such water features allow for green vegetation in the summer months and recreational opportunities such as fishing and wading. Additionally, the Blackfoot River formed the valley (see next section) allowing for its current flatness.
Geology
Before the Blackfoot River or surrounding features existed in the valley, the area was likely composed of several glaciers and/or glacial lakes. However, with the heating up of earth and other changes, those glaciers melted, and glacial lakes flooded, causing deoposits of various rocks to be deposited under the valley's surface. Additionally, the excess water likely caused water to either form streams and creeks, or go into the ground, which turned into several aquifers and groundwater containments such as the alluvial aquifer one that sits under the valley. Such groundwater and aquifers created streams that we can see today in the valley, such as Spring Creek, Keep Cool Creek, and others. The excess water also likely immeaditly created the Blackfoot River and surrounding streams after flooding. As a result of a new river in the area, rocks deposited by glaciers were and are now being moved and broken down, causing the flatness and heavy deposits of rocks under the valley.
Weather
Communities The Lincoln Valley contains one community – Lincoln, Montana, a CDP.
Recreation
Outdoor events Lincoln, Montana and the Lincoln Valley offer a wide-variety of activities year-round. In the winter, snowmobiling and sled dog races are common, including the well-known Race to the Sky race. In the spring and summer, photography, sightseeing at Sculptures of the Wild and other areas, hiking, paddleboarding and fishing (especially fly fishing) are common in creeks and the Blackfoot River. In the fall, hunting is easily accessible with various animal species such as deer, elk and moose.
Annual events The majority of events based in Lincoln are in the summer. In early July is the Lincoln Rodeo and parade which celebrates the history of the United States and of Lincoln. In mid July is the Hooper Park Flea Market and in mid August is the Lincoln Art and Music Festival.
References